Twenty-eight
interfaith figures representing various religions, such as Buddhism,
Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and Confucianism, attended the historic
meeting, according to State Palace media bureau head Bey Triadi
Machmudin.

Previously, Religious
Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin said the meeting aimed to send a
message of peace to the world that religions should not be used as a tool to
achieve political goals that could lead to extremism, radicalism and terrorism.

“This is something
that we are now preparing. We will make use of King Salman’s state visit to
hold an interfaith dialogue to build a shared understanding on how to fight
extremism,” Lukman said.

Lukman said the
meeting would encourage religious moderation so that people around the world
could understand the benefits of religion for maintaining the world's
civilizations.

King Salman met the
religious leaders of various faiths during his 12-day visit of Indonesia, the
longest leg of his month-long tour of Asia.***